§ Mr. WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the policy of his Department on the provision of future fixed link improvements in communications infrastructure being provided(a) from public funds and (b) by the private sector.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonI assume the hon. Member's interest is in major roads and road bridges. We are committed to further improving the trunk road498W network in Scotland, and plan to increase public expenditure on new construction during 1990–91 by some 25 per cent, over the current year. As indicated in "New Roads by New Means", the financing of roads is no longer a matter solely for Government, however, and there will from time to time be ad hoc opportunities for privately financed schemes. The Scottish Development Department is willing to discuss with the private sector any such schemes which are brought forward.